Dosing device for use in log handling installations

ABSTRACT

A log handling installation has a device for dosing transversely extending logs which are moved one by one. The device includes pairs of lifters for raising the logs. One of the lifters of each pair is of larger size than the other lifter of the same pair and has a threshold against which the logs are fed. The lower surface of the other lifter is also shaped to form a threshold. When the other lifter is turned to its lifting position its threshold is closer to the arriving logs than the threshold of the first lifter.

United States Patent Rysti 51 Oct. 24, 1972 [54] DOSING DEVICE FOR USEIN LOG HANDLING INSTALLATIONS [72] Inventor: Ilkka Arlrno Rysti,Frisanssintie 22,

Frisans, Finland [22] Filed: Nov. 5, 1969 [2]] Appl. No.: 874,256

[52] US. Cl. ..2l4/l PB [51] Int. Cl ..B65g 11/00 [58] Field of Search..2l4/l P, 1 P2, l PC, DIG. 3

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,880,844 4/1959 Vogeli..2l4/l PZ X 3,204,749 9/1965 Richmond ..2l4/l PZ X FOREIGN PATENTS ORAPPLICATIONS 692.593 8/1964 Canada ..2l4/lPZ 195,491 4/1965 Sweden..2l4/l PZ Primary Examiner-Gerald M. Forlenza Assistant Examiner-FrankE. Werner AtrorneyRichards & Geier ABSTRACT A log handling installationhas a device for dosing transversely extending logs which are moved oneby one. The device includes pairs of lifters for raising the logs. Oneof the lifters of each pair is of larger size than the other lifter ofthe same pair and has a threshold against which the logs are fed. Thelower surface of the other lifter is also shaped to form a threshold.When the other lifter is turned to its lifting position its threshold iscloser to the arriving logs than the threshold of the first lifter.

2Claims, 5 Drawing figures P'A'TENTEMMM I912 3.700.116

SHEEI 3 OF 3 INVENTOR: I, A. [235M A FT'OILNGUS DOSING DEVICE FOR USE INLOG HANDLING INSTALLATIONS The present invention concerns a dosingdevice for use in log handling installations which accomplishes dosageof logs that have been brought to it in transversal position so thatthey are conveyed to the next treatment phase one at a time. In thissubsequent treatment phase the logs are most usually deposited on afurther conveyor, which transports the logs singly in their longitudinaldirection to some subsequent handling process.

In present practice several different designs of dosing devices suitablefor the use outlined above are known. The most notable drawback of suchdesigns belonging to previous art has been that with their aid onlydosage of such batches of logs can be accomplished in which the logdiameters vary within reasonable limits. When to such devices logbatches are fed in which the diameters of the individual logs displayreally considerable differences. it often happens that the dosing devicefeeds forward more then one log at once or that it may in fact fail totransport a log which is excessive of its diameter, considering theoverall dimensioning of the dosing device.

The primary object of the present invention was accordingly to eliminatethe said drawback and to accomplish a dosing device which operatessatisfactorily also in the event that logs or batches of logs varyinggreatly in respect of their diameter are supplied to it. Another objectwas to achieve a simple and inexpensive design and, furthermore, thatreliable operation of the device might also be ensured under freezingconditions.

A dosing device according to the invention is mainly characterized inthat it comprises a threshold against which the logs which are to bedosed are fed, and pairs of lifters, which lift the log that is in turnto be transported over the said threshold to the next phase oftreatment, one of the two lifters in each pair presenting largerdimension in the direction in which the logs arrive than the other.

The invention is described in greater detail in the following withreference to the attached schematic drawing, in which some embodimentexamples of dosing devices according to the invention have beenpresented.

In the drawing,

FIG. 1 shows in elevational view from its end, a log handlinginstallation in which a dosing device according to the invention hasbeen fitted,

FIGS. 2 and 3 show in elevational and enlarged view, the dosing devicein the log handling installation according to FIG. 1, and

FIGS. 4 and 5 show, likewise in elevational view and schematically, twoother embodiment examples of dosing devices which may be used inaccordance with the invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, the log handling installation includes threeconsecutive conveyors, by means of which the bundle of logs deposited onthe leftmost conveyor is dispersed so that the logs no longer are oneupon the other on the third conveyor 6. From this conveyor the logsenter the dosing device, which feeds them one by one onto the inclinedplane 8, from which they roll onto a longitudinal conveyor 11, whichtransports the logs in their longitudinal direction to the next phase oftreatment. The dosing device comprises tumable pairs of lifters l and 2in a number greater than one. The lifters are caused to turn by means ofpower cylinders 3 and 4.

The operation of the dosing device is better understood with referenceto FIGS. 2 and 3. Each pair of lifters, of which pairs it is thusunderstood that there must be at least two in the dosing device inpractice, comprises two tumable lifters 1 and 2. The lifter 2 is turnedby the power cylinder 4 and the lifter I by the power cylinder 3. Thelogs 6 roll along the inclined plane 7 in the direction of the arrow 5to the dosing device. If the log which arrives at the closing device ata given moment is small or of medium size as regards its diameter, theinitial position of the dosage operation corresponds to that shown inFIG. 2, in which the lifter 2, which has been made, e.g., of sheetmetal, has been turned with the aid of the power cylinder 4 in clockwisedirection into its extreme position. The forward edge of the lifter 2now constitutes the threshold over which the log 6 which has beendeposited on support of the lifter 1 has to be raised. This raising isaccomplished with the aid of the power cylinder 3, whereby the lifter 1turns and the log which rests on it slides along the front edge of thelifter 2, to arrive on the inclined upper edge of the lifter 2 andthence further onto the inclined plane 8 and onto the conveyor 11 (cf.FIG. I

When a log of large diameter is proffered to the dosing device, theinitial position of dosage is that shown in FIG. 3. The lifter 2 is nowin the other extreme position, whereby the log 6 resting on support ofthe lifter I does not contact the lifter 2 at all. The shape of thelifter l is such that a threshold is formed, against which the logrests. When, from the position shown in FIG. 3, the lifter l is turnedclockwise with the aid of the power cylinder 3, the log finally arriveson the inclined plane 8 and thence to the conveyor 11.

In the design according to FIG. 4, the turnable lifters l and 2 havebeen replaced with two lifters 9 and 10, which are able to move betweentwo extreme positions in the manner of pistons. If, as in FIG. 4, a log6 of large diameter is concerned, it can be handled by pushing bothlifters into their upper position, which has been indicated with dottedlines, whereby the log will be raised onto the inclined plane in thesame manner as has been described before and will hence continue to theconveyor 11. When the log is of medium size, e.g., of the order of whichthe log shown leftmost in FIG. 4 is a representative, the dosingoperation is accomplished with the aid of the lifter l0 alone, in whichinstance then the lifter 9 remains in its lower position throughout thedosing operation. If the dosing device receives a very slender log (notshown in the drawing), the lifter 10 is left in its raised position(indicated with dotted lines) and the lifting is accomplished with theaid of the lifter 9, along the left side of the lifter 10.

In the design according to FIG. 5, turnable lifters I2 and 13 have beenused, which turn about the same axis between two extreme positions, oneof these positions having been indicated with solid lines and the otherwith dotted lines in FIG. 5. Large logs are handled by turning eitherthe lifter 12 with larger dimensions alone or this lifter together withthe smaller lifter 13. Logs of small diameter are handled by turning thelifter l3 alone, and those of medium size are handled by first turningthe lifter 13 into its upper extreme position,

whereafter the lifting over the threshold is accomplished by means ofthe lifter 12.

It is to be understood that the invention is by no means narrowlyconfined to the design examples shown in the drawing. For instance, in adevice according to FIG. 5 the diameter of the lifter 13 may beincreased in relation to that of lifter l2, and likewise in a deviceaccording to H0. 4 the lifters 9 and 10 may exchange their places,whereby at the same time the mode of operation of these devices becomessomewhat different from what has been described in the foregoing. Themovement of the lifters may also be accomplished by means of manydifferent mechanisms, and their movement can be controlled eithermanually or with the aid of automatic arrangements based on the use ofvarious kinds of feelers.

lclaim l. A dosing device for use in log handling installations whichcarries out the dosage of logs which have been brought to it in atransverse position and which are then conveyed one by one to the nexthandling phase, said device comprising a threshold against which thelogs which are to be dosed are fed, and pairs of lifters for raising alog over said threshold and moving it to the next handling phase, one ofthe two lifters of each pair of lifters having a greater dimension inthe direction in which the logs arrive than the other lifter of thepair, the two lifters of each pair being tumable through a predeterminedsection, the lifter of each pair which has the greater dimensioncomprising said threshold, the lifter of each pair which has the smallerdimension having a lower surface shaped to also constitute saidthreshold, whereby when the last-mentioned lifter is turned into itslifting position its threshold is located closer to the direction inwhich the logs arrive than the threshold of the lifter having thegreater dimension.

2. Dosing device according to claim 1, in which the turning centers ofthe tumable lifters lie on one and the same straight line.

1. A dosing device for use in log handling installations which carriesout the dosage of logs which have been brought to it in a transverseposition and which are then conveyed one by one to the next handlingphase, said device comprising a threshold against which the logs whichare to be dosed are fed, and pairs of lifters for raising a log oversaid threshold and moving it to the next handling phase, one of the twolifters of each pair of lifters having a greater dimension in thedirection in which the logs arrive than the other lifter of the pair,the two lifters of each pair being turnable through a predeterminedsection, the lifter of each pair which has the greater dimensioncomprising said threshold, the lifter of each pair which has the smallerdimension having a lower surface shaped to also constitute saidthreshold, whereby when the last-mentioned lifter is turned into itslifting position its threshold is located closer to the direction inwhich the logs arrive than the threshold of the lifter having thegreater dimension.
 2. Dosing device according to claim 1, in which theturning centers of the turnable lifters lie on one and the same straightline.